City Guide Filming in Chicago, IL
Production Permit Fees
- Film Permit Minimum Cost: $250
- Film Permit Application Fee: Free
Minimum Insurance
- General liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence;
- General liability insurance of $500,000 per person;
Additional Permits
Discounts
About Chicago
Long before Hollywood became the world’s premier destination for filmmaking, the city of Chicago had established itself as a leading hub for movie production and the home of motion pictures. As far back as the early 1900’s, Essanay Film Manufacturing Company (otherwise known as Essanay Studios) already made the city the go-to place for filmmakers who made silent films with the available technology at the time.
Even though Chicago was overtaken by Hollywood in the years that followed, the city gradually rose back to fame in the film production industry in the late 20th century, becoming a desired destination for producers. A testament to this is the fact that since 1980, the city has hosted over 1,100 TV and movie productions as well as countless commercials. Even more, Chicago is an increasingly attractive city for producers to visit with their cast and crew, thanks to the 30% tax credit that the state of Illinois implemented for film production in 2009.
Those that haven’t had the opportunity to experience how remarkable Chicago is for filming only need see some of the works done here such as Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Dark Knight, Home Alone, The Fugitive, Chicago PD, Power Book IV: Force, and The Blues Brothers, to mention a few. It’s not called the “Hollywood of the Midwest” for nothing, so find your next filming location here now with Giggster!
Do I Need a Filming Permit in Chicago?
Not all filming activities in Chicago require a permit to take place. If it’s part of a documentary, B-roll, new crew activities, or other small productions that don’t in any way affect the movement of vehicles or people, then you won’t need a film permit for it to happen. You won’t need a permit as a student either if your film project is part of school work and you won’t interfere with vehicular and/or pedestrian traffic. In addition, other conditions where no permit is required include:
When the filming activity does not require parking privileges;
When the filming activity does not affect any public function;
When the filming activity does not assert exclusive rights to a public property.
For students whose film productions will have an impact on public routes such as bridges, roads, sidewalks, etc., a student film permit will be required, and appropriate documentation showing the studentship status will be needed as part of the application.
As for commercial film productions that involve the use of prop weapons, special effects, stunts, and other complexities, a film permit is required. In some cases, productions may require a Chicago Police Officer which means that a film permit is required too according to Chicago filming guidelines.
Furthermore, before you can film on private property in the city, you have to get permission from the property owner, and in some cases, this may mean that you have to apply for a permit from the property owner.
Permit Management in Chicago
Chicago Film Office
The Chicago Film Office is the designated permit management office in Chicago that handles film permits for feature film productions, TV series, documentaries, commercials, and other activities in the city. When there’s the need for producers to interface with other city service providers such as the Police and Fire Services Departments, the Chicago Film Office offers assistance too. The office is a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.
Some of the documents that you will require to secure a film permit in Chicago are listed below. Send these documents via email to the office accompanied by a brief description of the project:
A City Services Request Form;
A certificate of insurance that complies with Chicago filming regulations;
A community notification letter.
As for the processing times, film permit applications generally require at least four (4) complete business days, however if you will be using drones during the production or require traffic control, then the permit processing time will be five (5) complete business days. Projects with more complex elements such as those involving street closures, special effects, stunts, or high-end logistics have a longer processing time, typically a minimum of ten (10) days. Besides, during peak seasons, it may take longer.
With regard to the requirements from city services and the assistance that the Chicago Film Office offers, the following apply:
Every filmmaker whose project that requires the involvement of the Chicago Police Department must send in the request/notice at least 48 hours before filming commences and pay the applicable fees for the services offered;
Where the Chicago Fire Department’s services will be required during filming, the film producer will cover the applicable costs for the services;
The Chicago Film Office liaises with the Department of Streets & Sanitation at no extra charge, because the service charge is included in the permit fee;
Where the filmmaker intends to make use of the O’Hare and Midway Airports, the Chicago Film Office spearheads the application by submitting the request to the Department of Aviation on behalf of the filmmaker.
In any case, the Chicago Film Office makes the permit application and liaison process as smooth as possible by being available to answer questions and offer guidance to filmmakers on how to abide by Chicago filming laws.
What Insurance Do I Need in Chicago?
For all filming projects in Chicago that require a film permit from the Chicago Film Office, a certificate of insurance is required as a supporting document in the application. As a rule, the certificate of insurance must list the City of Chicago as an additional insured party in the policy and consist of the following:
General liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence;
General liability insurance of $500,000 per person;
Workers’ compensation when the police and/or fire personnel will be hired for the film project.
As for student filmmakers, the requirement is that the student present the certificate of insurance of their school when applying for the film permit. If you require a sample of the insurance, here’s a template provided by the Chicago Film Office.
For those whose film projects do not require a film permit from the Chicago Film Office, an insurance certificate is also not required. For film shoots on private properties, it helps to check with the owner(s) of the private property on the subject of insurance as the conditions may vary from property to property in the city.
If you can’t meet any of these requirements, you’ll need to explain in writing why you can’t meet the requirement to the Office. They will determine if the shoot can go ahead without the necessary insurance.
Note that these requirements are minimum requirements. Larger and more complex shoots may require additional insurance which will be determined by the Office.
What Kind of Filming Locations Are Available in Chicago?
As you would expect from a city that has been hosting film productions since the early 1900s, Chicago is home to film locations that always work for diverse scripts and meet the requirements that film producers may have for the perfect set and stage. It’s why the cast and crew of a particular project can remain within the city from the beginning to the end of a production and still shoot scenes that make it look like they traveled around the world to do so.
To begin with, there’s no Chicago without mention of the city’s towers and high-rise buildings which are perfect for shooting professional scenes and office settings. Since the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, the city experienced a rebirth and skyscrapers became a signature feature, starting with the Home Insurance Building erected in 1885. The Chicago skyline is one that definitely stands out in the world, and what a backdrop that makes for production!
How about the high-tech film studios within the city that make it a choice destination for all sorts of projects with various requirements? In addition to Essanay Studios – the first in the city – there are several other studios available here for use, such as Chicago Studio City of Chicago, Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, Resolution Studios, etc. All of these are top-class studios in their own right, offering unique resources, equipment, and spaces to filmmakers.
Another area where Chicago stands out is its architectural diversity, featuring apartment buildings, condos, townhouses, and various kinds of houses that abound across the city. Brick bungalows constructed in the first half of the 20th century are present here too, in addition to buildings that have a Polish Cathedral style of church design.
Other locations in Chicago that you can’t afford to not take advantage of include the parks, boulevards, museums, nature areas, as well as National Historic places, to name a few. To have a taste of what Chicago offers, check out some of the architectural masterpieces here such as Rookery Building, Chicago Cultural Center, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, TheMART, Marina City, and Willis Tower.
Special Requirements in Chicago
Chicago Park District
In order to make use of any of the thousands of acres of green space, hundreds of parks, indoor and outdoor pools, lakefront areas, and swimming beaches that are owned and managed by the Chicago Park District for filming, you will require a permit different from the one issued by the Chicago Film Office. That’s because the Chicago Park District issues its own film permit for documentaries, student projects, commercial shots, and other media activities.
The application process is online, however some of the requirements include:
Application fee of $35;
General liability insurance of $1,000,000 and an endorsement document issued by the insurer - submitted at latest 48 hours prior to filming;
Payment of a security deposit (amount depends on the scale of the production) refundable after the project;
Permit fees that vary from $45 per location per hour to $2,150 per location per hour depending on the scale of the project ($45 for students);
Security deposit fee ($520 to $5,200; free for students)
Navy Pier
Filming at Navy Pier is open to interested producers (including students) under certain conditions wherein permits can be issued for the desired film shoot. Here are the conditions:
A two-to-three-week notice is required in advance of the filming date for adequate processing of requests;
Location fees depend on the nature of the project, how long it will take, and other factors, all of which will be put into consideration when you send in your filming request
The Navy Pier is not open to the use of drones and other aerial devices.
Insurance requirements state that a certificate of insurance of up to $1,000,000 is required, while students can provide the insurance of the school, as well as a letter from the school on their letterhead. Other considerations for insurance include vehicle liability insurance, evidence of workers’ compensation coverage, and third-party equipment coverage.
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
When your filming project requires the use of Chicago Transit Authority’s facilities or services, you are required to contact the CTA’s Film Coordinator two weeks ahead of the filming project start date and provide information about the project. Thereafter, a pre-production meeting will be arranged for further briefing on the project and CTA’s safety and regulatory requirements.
Insurance documents must be submitted at least 72 hours before the film production and must consist of the following:
Workers’ compensation coverage (Statutory & $3,000,000 Employer’s Liability)
Comprehensive General Liability ($4,000,000)
Automobile Liability ($1,000,000)
Railroad Protective Liability ($2,000,000)
The location fee for public use facilities in CTA is $2,000 per day per location, while an administrative operating fee (15% of Labor and Rental Costs) is charged as well.
What Does it Cost to Film in Chicago?
The permit fee for filming in locations within the jurisdiction of the Chicago Film Office is $250 per day per location. For student filmmakers and other independent projects, a reduced permit fee of $25 per day per location is payable only after the office has done some verifications. When the film production requires the involvement of city service personnel such as members of the Police Force or Fire Department, then the fees for the services must be covered by the film producer. The rates are as follows:
Additional Fees
For larger productions or those that require street closures or traffic control, hiring police officers or security personnel might be necessary, and the costs for this service will need to be covered by the production. It's essential to contact the Chicago Film Office or the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) for the most up-to-date and specific information regarding permits, fees, and regulations for filming within the city.
Geographical Jurisdiction of Chicago?
Chicago, in Cooks County, sits on the banks of Lake Michigan which borders the city to the east. The city itself is subdivided into three sections by the Chicago River – the West Side, South Side, and North Side. North of the city lies the cities of Evanston and Park Ridge. Neighborhoods to the south are Blue Island, Dolton, and Burnham. Plenty of suburbs and towns border the city to the west, some of which include Oak Park, Cicero, Oak Lawn, Burbank, and Norridge. In addition to the Chicago Park District which has special film permit requirements that differ from those of the Chicago Film Office, Millennium Park also issues unique film permits within the city. Evanston Film permit applications in Evanston go through the Parking Division and they require at least five (5) business days to review the permit request. Where parking is required, the processing time is seven (7) business days. The application is made online and requires documents such as the letter(s) notifying the residents and businesses within the area that will be impacted by the filming project (with a 72-hour notice period), as well as general liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000. The Police, Fire, and Water Departments may be required for film projects depending on the scope/nature of the production. In terms of fees: Film permit fee - $75 (student filming - $25) Police personnel - $40 per hour No parking signs - $50 per block plus time Use of city facilities - $25 per hour Reserved paid parking - $25 per meter per space date plus time Park Ridge Film production is one of the activities that requires a Special Event Permit in the city of Park Ridge. The application fee for all such permits in the city is $50 per day, however, other city services e.g., Fire, Police, etc., that may be required for the special event (film production in this case) may come with their own fees. To obtain the filming permit, you also need to provide a general aggregate certificate of insurance of at least $1,000,000 and submit some other documentation via email, including a letter that shows that you have notified the residents and business owners in the area where the film production will take place. Applications must come in at least thirty (30) days to the filming date to be considered and reviewed by the Park Ridge’s Permit Department.
Outreach in Chicago
As part of the filming laws in Chicago, every production company is mandated to provide advance notification to those that will be affected by their filming project. These include the residents, businesses, building managers, and cars parked within the permitted area. The notification is in the form of a leaflet (sample) which the production company has to submit to the Chicago Film Office for review, and further approval by the Department of Transpiration before they are sent out to the neighborhoods.
Generally, this notice should be sent out at least 48 hours before the shoot begins, however, there are some areas that require at least 72 hours notice. Contact the film office for information on these special areas.
Community Management in Chicago
Notifying the members of the community where the film will be shot is the first step toward ensuring good relations for the entire duration of the production. Additional ways to keep the relationship good is through genuine consideration for special locations such as daycare centers, schools, places of worship, hospitals, etc., by keeping disruptions to a minimum in these areas. Creating avenues of engagement such as town hall meetings also goes a long way. Even more, there’s no better way to create a lasting impression by leaving every location spic-and-span post-production.
Conclusion
The city of Chicago has been in the business of filmmaking for over a century and that’s no small feat. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why the city remains one of the places in high demand by film producers because of its history and plenty of resources that support production. That Illinois also favors the film industry by making tax credits available to all that come over to shoot films is the perfect icing on the cake.
Whether it’s the architecture, nature areas, and vintage locations in Chicago that draw you in, or it’s the way the Film Office is very supportive of film projects, you are sure to never plan a film production and leave out Chicago because you will keep wanting to return for that hassle-free production you’re guaranteed to have in the city. Simply have all the required paperwork ready and sent in at the designated time and you and your team will enjoy all that the city has to offer. Not to worry, the film office will always be willing to offer guidance on how to abide by the filming laws. You just come see what makes this city a legendary filming destination.